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This website discusses domestic and family violence and coercive control.
Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Police if you are in a dangerous or life-threatening situation.
If you don't want to speak to the police you can also call DV Connect on 1800 811 811 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Find other support options
Changes to the law
From 26 May 2025, coercive control will be a criminal offence in Queensland.
It will be illegal for an adult to use abusive behaviours towards their current, or former, intimate partner, family member, or informal (unpaid) carer with the intention to control or coerce them.
The criminal offence captures patterns of physical and/or non-physical abuse used to hurt, humiliate, isolate, frighten, or threaten a victim-survivor.
The criminal offence will carry a maximum plenty of 14 years imprisonment due to the serious nature of the offence and the harm coercive control can cause victim-survivors.
The law applies to abusive behaviours that happen from the day the law comes into effect on 26 May 2025.
While only people over the age of 18-years-old can be charged with the coercive control offence, it is still possible for people under 18-years-old to use abusive behaviours towards their current, or former, intimate partner, family member or informal (unpaid) carer with the intention to control or dominate them. Control in a relationship is never okay and help and support is available.
The offence criminalises conduct of an adult where:
- the person is in a domestic relationship with another person (which encompasses past and present intimate partner relationships, wider family relationships and informal care relationships);
- the person engages in a course of conduct against the other person that consists of domestic violence occurring on more than 1 occasion;
- the person intends the course of conduct to coerce or control the other person; and
- the course of conduct would, in all the circumstances, be reasonably likely to cause the other person harm (any detrimental effect on the person’s physical, emotional, financial, psychological or mental wellbeing, whether temporary or permanent).
Engaging in, or using, domestic and family violence to aid respondent
From 26 May 2025, Queensland will also have a new offence to stop people using domestic and family violence, including coercive control, on behalf of a respondent, also referred to as a ‘perpetrator’ or a ‘person using violence’.
Under this new law, it will be illegal for anyone (including friends or family) to intimidate or abuse a victim-survivor named in a domestic violence order (DVO), or police protection order on the behalf of the respondent (the person using violence).
Those found guilty of this offence could face a maximum penalty of a fine of 120 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment.
Under this law, it will be illegal for third parties hired by the respondent, including private investigators, to engage in domestic violence behaviour, such as monitoring or tracking, against a victim-survivor.
Private investigators who have a conviction recorded for the new offence will be automatically disqualified from holding a security licence and could face an increased maximum penalty of a fine of 240 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment.
Read more about the Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024.
What if I experienced abusive behaviours before the laws commence?
Support is available for all Queenslanders affected by coercive control and domestic and family violence.
You can access support, including legal advice, over the phone, online or in person. You will be listened to and supported.
If you are concerned you or someone you know if experiencing coercive control, you can contact the Queensland Police Service on 131 444, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Alternatively, you can make contact with a police officer by submitting an online inquiry form at Domestic violence | QPS (police.qld.gov.au). If it’s an emergency, call 000.
Who to call to get help
- Domestic violence helplines
- Find support services in your area.
- Need help in your language?
- Support helplines
DVConnect Womensline
DVConnect Womensline is a statewide telephone service offering free professional and non-judgemental telephone support to women who are experiencing domestic or family violence. They can help women to obtain safe refuge accommodation, confidential counselling and referral to other services. (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
DVConnect Mensline
DVConnect Mensline is a statewide telephone service offering free confidential counselling, referral and support to men affected by domestic and family violence. (9am to 12 midnight, 7 days a week)
1800 RESPECT
1800RESPECT is a national service providing confidential information, counselling and support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse. (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)